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Demographics and America's Future

Aug. 21, 2012 3:54 p.m. ET

Regarding Ben J. Wattenberg's ("Immigrants and 'Comparative Advantage'," op-ed, Aug. 9): It is true that the U.S. is in better shape than Europe or Japan, but the rate of growth of the U.S. population has fallen below 1% per year and will decline further over the next four decades. Due to the passing of baby boomers in increasing numbers, the two decades starting in 2030 will see no population growth except for immigration.

Mr. Wattenberg's figure of 400 million Americans in 2050 is too high and would be reached...